Joining the Community
A Call to Monastic Life
A vocation to monastic life begins with God.
For some, this call is experienced clearly and decisively. For many others, it unfolds gradually, through prayer, silence, and faithful attention to the movements of the heart.
Often, this call is marked by a growing desire to belong wholly to God — not in extraordinary ways, but through a simple, hidden, and faithful life. Alongside this desire may come an attraction to monastic prayer, silence, stability, and community, and to a way of life shaped by the daily rhythm of ora et labora.
In the Cistercian tradition, a vocation is rarely an abstract attraction to monasticism in general, nor merely to a spirituality or aesthetic. More often, it is a call to live this life in a particular community, with real sisters, in an ordinary and concrete setting. Over time, one discovers whether peace grows in sharing the prayer, work, and limitations of that community.
Discernment takes time and honesty. A genuine vocation does not arise from a desire to escape the world or to do more for God, but from a willingness to be gradually transformed through obedience, stability, and daily fidelity. For this reason, we encourage those discerning to approach the process with patience, humility, and openness, allowing God to clarify His invitation step by step.
If you feel drawn to this way of life, we invite you to learn more about our community, to pray with us when possible, and to take the time needed to discern whether this call is truly yours.
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As part of responsible discernment, it is important to note that our community has a set age limit for admission to formation. At present, we are able to consider candidates up to the age of 40. This guideline reflects the length of the formation process and the concrete demands of Cistercian life. Those who are not eligible for entrance are nevertheless welcome to share in our rhythm of prayer through retreats or other forms of association with the monastery, as guests or volunteers who wish to experience our life of prayer and silence.
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For more information please write to: klosterkall@tautra.no or in Norwegian, please refer to our other site: www.tautra.no .
Stages of Formation
Observer- Postulant - Novice--Junior Sister - Solemn Professed Sister
When a young women first enquires about our community, she is encouraged to come for a two-week visit. Eventually, when she has a serious interest in the community, she is allowed to come and live inside with us for a period of three months, called obersvership. She has no obligations to the community at this time (and is free to keep her present employment if they allow her this sabbatical time,) just as the community has no obligation to her. This is simply a period to "come and see."
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If all goes well, and it does seem that God is calling her to our community, and it appears a "good fit," she will eventually enter the postulancy. This is really an entrance into the community. This period is open ended and could last for some months or more than a year. At the end of that time, she would receive the habit of a Cistercian nun, but all in white, in a simple ceremony. This period lasts for two years. At the end of this time, if through the discernment process, it seems that God is really calling her to this community, she would receive the black scapular, and the leather belt, in a ceremony where she pronounces her first vows. She then becomes a Junior Sister and assumes more responsibility for the community work, as well as in the liturgical functions.
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She is a Junior Sister for a number of years, at least five and possibly up to nine years. During this time, she does more intensive studies to prepare her for our life. These includes many topics such as the Rule of Benedict, the Desert Father tradition, Church History, History of the Order, and many others. These studies can continue even after Solemn profession. Eventually, when a Sister discerns that God is truly calling her to live the rest of her life in this particular community, she asks to be admitted to Solemn Profession. When accepted, there follows an elaborate ceremony where she pronounces her Solemn Vows, promising to live in this community for the rest of her life. She is no longer free to leave the community after this long time of probation. This is a total gift of her life to God and the community.